Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

The Work

An account managers job is all about building and maintaining strong, long-lasting relationships with a business’ corporate or private customers, or clients. They are responsible for identifying the needs of the client and expected to identify new sales opportunities.

In business, it is estimated that acquiring a new customer is anywhere from 5 to 25 times more expensive than retaining an existing one. So account managers aim to keep valuable business clients by ensuring continuity and personalised service.

The account manager is the point of contact for their customers, and performs a wide range of tasks including responding to queries, making bookings, personalise the service and finding solutions to any problems arising.

Successful account managers know that ‘small things’ can make a big difference; and showing that you know the client’s likes and dislikes can help in exceeding their expectations.

In the tourism and hospitality sector, account managers work for hotel groups/chains, event management businesses, destination management companies, or any business with a need to build strong relationships with key customers.

Account managers can either have just one key client, or a portfolio of clients, which means that they have numerous accounts/customers at a time. They may communicate with their customers via email, phone, online, screen-share, and in person meetings.

If you work for a hotel group, you will most likely be based in an office rather than in Hotel premises. Hotel account managers are often encouraged by the employer to travel to the hotels in their portfolio and may get significant discounts. That way, they can give personal recommendations and speak from experience. They get to know their customers and can make bespoke bookings based on their personal preferences, such as upgrades to a room with sea view, or book them into a room on their favourite floor for example! Small things can make a big difference and be the key to keeping clients.

In event management, tour agencies and destination management companies, account managers are responsible for maintaining relationships with corporate clients who give them repeat business, as well as the procurement and contracting of all third-party suppliers, managing the budget, maintaining project timelines, tracking spend and ensuring value for money for the client.

Every member of staff who deals with customers’ 'personal data', such as names and addresses, or who process payment card transactions, need to have some knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). It is the responsibility of the employer to give job-specific information on GDPR in their organisation. You can read more about data protection in the workplace here.  

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Collect payment for transportation and accommodations from customer.
• Plan, describe, arrange, and sell itinerary tour packages and promotional travel incentives offered by various travel carriers.
• Converse with customer to determine destination, mode of transportation, travel dates, financial considerations, and accommodations required.
• Compute cost of travel and accommodations, using calculator, computer, carrier tariff books, and hotel rate books, or quote package tour's costs.
• Record and maintain information on clients, vendors, and travel packages.
• Book transportation and hotel reservations, using computer or telephone.
• Print or request transportation carrier tickets, using computer printer system or system link to travel carrier.
• Provide customer with brochures and publications containing travel information, such as local customs, points of interest, or foreign country regulations.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Many account managers start their careers as sales or customer service staff and then progress to Hospitality Account Manager roles. Experience in the Hospitality sector, such as Travel consultant or Reservations or Events staff will also be beneficial.

A degree in business, marketing, or a related field can sometimes be required. But to most employers personality and an apptitude for sales, and building professional relationships are more important.

Training & Development Pathways

As an account manager, or a junior account manager, you can often progress to a senior or key account manager role over time, which means that you are responsible for the most important business clients.

Training can also help you progress in your career and is sometimes offered by employers. There are also both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business and hospitality which can support your as you progress.

FET Centre Traineeship: Business, Hospitality, and customer service NFQ level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Sales, Business & Customer care courses at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Sales & Recruitment along with Hospitality & Tourism sector Apprenticeships at NFQ levels 6-9 Search Apprenticeship programs

Higher Education CAO Entry: Hospitality management, Travel & Tourism, Sales, Business & Customer care courses at NFQ levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Hospitality management, Travel & Tourism, Sales, Business NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €65k

Salaries vary by employer, role, location, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Prosperity/ Excel/ Indeed

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels remained unchanged between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation. Employment was spread across many sectors with none large enough to report. Like business sales executives, the ICT sector appears to be the main beneficiary of employment permits issued in 2022 for this occupation. The difficult-to-fill mentions in the Recruitment Agency Survey related to sales/marketing managers and lead category managers.

Employers (Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills) identified sales account managers, key account managers and business development managers as being difficult to fill; key skills in demand included project management, relationship management and presentation skills. Nonetheless, the number of job adverts has fallen. Although employment levels remained stable, digitalisation and new business processes are likely to impact on the skills mix required for these roles.

• Meet in Ireland

  • Dublin Tourism Centre, Suffolk St., Dublin 2
  • +353 1 884 7134
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Hotels Federation

  • 13 Northbrook Road, Dublin 6
  • 01 497 6459
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Hospitality Institute

  • 12 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan Rd, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 662 4790
  • Click Here